A simple overview

What to do and look out for in the months leading up to a Model UN Conference.
external image pdf.png General Task Guide for Advisors.pdf

Suggested Timeline

with related resources

Depending on when you begin conference preparation, you can use the following timeline and resources to help your students prepare. Choose from the options in PART A (below) to give your students an introduction to the United Nations, Human Rights concepts, international relations vocabulary and more. Then, look at the suggestions in PART B to find strategies for preparing students with regard to their assigned country and topic. Lastly, APPENDIX provides resources for having students prepare for the activities at the conference: public speaking, negotiation, etc. Many of these activities can be incorporated at other stages of the preparation, especially as warm-ups or wrap-ups for your meetings.

PART A: International Relations and the UN

Session Topic and Objectives

Recommended Activities

Session 1:Background on the United Nations
  1. What is international relations?
  2. How does it relate to me?
  3. What is the UN?
Lesson Plan:external image pdf.png Lesson Plan, Background to the UN.pdf
Electronic Materials:Video Resource: The United Nations, It's Your World.
Handouts:external image pdf.png Introduction to the UN (Activitiy).pdfexternal image pdf.png The_UN_at_60.pdfexternal image pdf.png The_UN_System.pdf

Session 2: Intro to public speaking and Model UN Procedure
Lesson Plan: external image pdf.png Lesson Plan - Public Speaking and Silly Sim.pdf

Handouts:
external image pdf.png Public Speaking Games.pdf
external image pdf.png Rules of Procedure.pdf
external image pdf.png Placards for School Uniform Simulation.pdf

external image pdf.png Opening Speech Outline B.pdf
external image pdf.png Basic_Chairing_Cue_Cards.pdf
Session 3: Introduction to Global Issues – major themes and concepts
Lesson Plan: external image pdf.png Lesson Plan - Global Issues and Concepts.pdf

Handouts:
external image pdf.png Global Issues Statistics - card sort activity.pdf
external image pdf.png MUN Vocab Museum.pdf
external image pdf.png MUN Vocab Review.pdf
external image pdf.png MUN Vocab Review (answer key).pdf

Session 4: Focus on global issues, prepare for simulatin (next session)
Lesson Plan:
Electronic Materials:
Handouts:

Concept activities
MUN Jeopardy
· Pictionary
· Posters
· Wordles

Refresh of main UN points
· Basic research – external image pdf.png Country Research, 16 nations.pdf, dividing the problem, basic research questions sheet
Session 5: Simple simulation
Lesson Plan:
Electronic Materials:
Handouts:
Use basic MUN procedures to debate a basic global issue: review materials from last time, speech outline, simulation
PART B: MUN Research
Session Topic and Objectives
Recommended Activities
Session 1: Country Research
Lesson Plan:

Electronic Materials:
CIA World Factbook, either printed copies or computer access.
Web link

Handouts:
external image pdf.png Country Research.pdf
Session 2: Country Research
Lesson Plan:
Electronic Materials:
Handouts:

Continue basic country research to develop a country profile
Session 3: Topic Research
Lesson Plan:
Electronic Materials:
Handouts:

Examine various conference topics, note preferences
· Read statements
· Watch videos
· Consider current knowledge about possible topic and brainstorm questions about those topics

Session 4: Topic Research
Lesson Plan:
Electronic Materials:
Handouts:

Receive assignments
· Read topic guide
· Work on dividing the problem sheet

Session 5: Country perspectives
Lesson Plan:
Electronic Materials:
Handouts:

Consider position of country on particular topic
· Explore ‘questions to consider’
· Conduct further research to find information about country/topic crossover
· Use embassy, UN mission, gov sites and UNBISNET
· Complete column 3 on dividing the problem

Session 6: Position Paper
Lesson Plan:
Electronic Materials:
Handouts:
Use PP outline (with or without space for writing) to make notes for position paper writing
· Conduct further research where necessary

Session 7: PP
Lesson Plan:
Electronic Materials:
Handouts:

Write draft of PP. Use notes and research to help.
· If there’s time, peer-edit paper and revise.
· Submit PP

Session 8: Conference Prep
Lesson Plan:
Electronic Materials:
Handouts:
Review public speaking tips, practice opening speeches and basic Rules
· Work on country proposals
· Go over necessary conference details.